The Delta State Government has pushed back against claims that it prioritises eye-catching infrastructure over grassroots healthcare, stressing that primary healthcare remains a key focus of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
Responding to recent social media comments by health influencer Aproko Doctor, who suggested that politicians prefer building flyovers and ultra-modern hospitals while ignoring primary healthcare centres, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, said the remarks do not reflect the reality in Delta State.
He explained that although roads and flyovers are highly visible signs of development, the state government has continued to give sustained and strategic attention to healthcare. According to him, within the last two years, the Oborevwori administration has renovated 150 primary healthcare centres across the state’s three senatorial districts, out of a total of 441 health facilities, with plans already underway to rehabilitate another 150 centres.
He noted that once completed, the renovations will bring the number of upgraded primary healthcare centres to 300, greatly improving access to quality healthcare at the community level and easing the burden on general and tertiary hospitals.
Onojaeme also highlighted the success of the state’s free maternal and under-five healthcare programme, which he said has contributed to a steady decline in maternal and infant mortality while reducing financial pressure on families. He disclosed that Governor Oborevwori recently approved ₦2 billion to sustain the programme, alongside the regular release of funds to strengthen Universal Health Coverage in the state.
The commissioner added that state-owned hospitals now have full autonomy to retain and use all of their internally generated revenue, allowing them to purchase drugs, maintain equipment, and respond more quickly to patients’ needs.
On specialised care, he revealed that dialysis machines have been installed and commissioned in state hospitals, cutting waiting times and improving access to treatment. He added that the cost of dialysis has been reduced from about ₦70,000 to ₦45,000 per session.
He further explained that CT scan machines installed at Warri Central Hospital and Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, are already improving the speed and accuracy of diagnoses for conditions such as cancer, stroke, and internal injuries. Newly acquired echocardiography machines, he said, are also enhancing the early detection and management of heart-related illnesses.
To expand access to advanced diagnostic services, Onojaeme disclosed that the state government has ordered three MRI machines for installation at Asaba Specialist Hospital, Central Hospital Warri, and DELSUTH Oghara, ensuring that each senatorial district will have access to high-end medical imaging.
Beyond facilities and equipment, he said the government is setting up a new College of Health Sciences in Ovrode, Isoko North Local Government Area, to complement the existing institution at Ofuoma and strengthen the training of mid-level health professionals.
He added that the long-abandoned Mother and Child Hospital in Ekpan is close to completion, while another Specialist Hospital, modelled after the Asaba Specialist Hospital, is being built in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area.
On health insurance, Onojaeme pointed to the progress of the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme, noting that enrollment has exceeded 2.78 million residents as of January 2026, making it the largest state-supported health insurance programme in Nigeria. He said the scheme covers both formal and informal sector workers and gives special attention to vulnerable groups through the Equity Health Plan, including pregnant women, children under five, and the elderly. Recent efforts, he added, include enrolling 10,000 widows and the ongoing registration of indigent residents.
To improve efficiency and transparency, he said the Delta State Contributory Health Commission has introduced facial recognition technology in accredited healthcare facilities.
Onojaeme reaffirmed the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage, emphasising that the government remains focused on providing affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all Deltans.
Read also: Delta Govt Donates N10 Million to Support ‘A Ride for Life’ Cancer Advocacy Initiative
